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Visual arts

Monograph

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Target group
Institution outside Switzerland
Submission deadline
Open year-round

What

Monographs on established contemporary artists, photographers and architects from Switzerland of cross-regional significance

For Whom

Publishing houses, editors or artists, photographers and architects

Selection Criteria

  • Professionalism of the publishing house or publishing institution
  • High-quality programme for at least the past 2 years
  • Quality of the texts related to art criticism
  • Implementation of design
  • Relevance of the publication for an artistic career

In addition to these specific criteria, the apply.

Financial Contribution

Maximum grant of CHF 20,000

  • Pro rata production costs
  • The grant from Pro Helvetia must not exceed 25% of the total budget.

Content Of Application

  • CVs and portfolios of the artists, photographers and architects presented
  • Publication concept (format, table of contents, distribution strategy and key parts of the texts)
  • Digital maquette of the publication
  • Detailed budget and financial plan for the publication and a contract between the editor/artist and the publisher

Format-specific Exclusion Criteria

Not supported:

  • Projects focusing on historical work or work by deceased artists, photographers and architects
  • Exhibition catalogues and reprints (incl. translations)
  • Commemorative publications and purely academic projects
  • Projects related to prizes/awards
  • Projects that take place in the context of schools, colleges and universities

In the case of periodicals (e.g. magazines or partworks), a maximum of 2 projects a year are supported

Application Deadlines and Decision Timelines

Submission deadlineOpen year-round
Earliest start date for the projectEight weeks after submitting the application
Notification of decisionWithin eight weeks

Decision-making processes

Unless otherwise specified, applications will be assessed in accordance with the .

Additional Information

The start date of the project is the date of printing.

The following are prioritised:

  • Monographs covering a creative period of about 10 years, as well as first monographs.
  • Projects that ensure linguistic accessibility across language regions, for example through translations or book presentations in several language regions of Switzerland.
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General Requirements

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Introduction

Pro Helvetia promotes the professional contemporary Swiss art and cultural production (without film) with a view to diversity as well as national and international reach. It supports the creation of new artistic works and productions, the exchange between Switzerland’s various linguistic regions, the dissemination of Swiss art and culture outside Switzerland and international cultural exchange. As a national foundation, Pro Helvetia supplements the promotional activities of Swiss cantons and municipalities and only supports projects that are cross-regionally or internationally recognised.

Pro Helvetia will only consider funding applications if they are complete and have been submitted on time.

To be eligible for support, projects must

  • have a clear connection to Switzerland
  • be of nationwide importance
  • be adequately co-funded by other public or private means
  • respects/guarantee fair working conditions

Connection to Switzerland

A connection to Switzerland is given, if one of the following conditions is met:

  • The production or project in question is developed or implemented by artists and cultural practitioners, who verifiably hold Swiss citizenship or are permanent residents of Switzerland and who are regularly artistically involved in relevant events in Switzerland.
  • The project is created, developed, or implemented by an independent group or cultural institution whose place of production is in Switzerland and who is regularly and publicly active in Switzerland.

Nationwide relevance

Nationwide relevance is given, if one of the following conditions is met:

  • The art and cultural practitioners participating in the project are regularly involved in programmes of nationally recognised art and cultural institutions in Swiss regions other than their own or abroad, and the project in question has a transregional appeal.
  • The artistic potential of an emerging art practitioner involved is exceptional in terms of a national or international career.
  • The project makes a significant contribution to the development of Swiss artistic and cultural production and its dissemination.
  • The project is of significant importance for the exchange between Switzerland’s various linguistic regions.

Assessment of content and quality

Within the framework of the available funds, Pro Helvetia prioritises projects that most comprehensively meet the funding criteria. The Foundation assesses whether

  • the project demonstrates high degree of independence and professional competence as well as social and thematic relevance
  • the project is implemented according to professional standards
  • the costs are commensurate with the expected impact
  • a lasting impact can be expected

Furthermore, the Foundation attaches great importance to the following aspects:

  • The project has an appropriate commitment to diversity.
  • Resources are used in an ecologically responsible manner and work and production are planned sustainably.

Restrictions

Pro Helvetia is unable to consider funding requests if

  • the same part of the submitted project is already received funding from other federal bodies (e.g. Federal Office of Culture, Presence Switzerland, Swiss National Science Foundation, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation)
  • the project is part of a school or university curriculum/basic training or continuing education programme (including dissertations, diploma projects, university scholarships, etc.)
  • funding is intended to cover infrastructure and equipment costs, as well as the costs of operating cultural facilities, archives and collections
  • the project does not depend on funding from Pro Helvetia
  • the project requires travel to regions for which the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) advises against travel at the time of application.»

Status: September 2025

General decision-making process

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Introduction

The decision-making process regarding applications is visualised below. Complete and legally relevant information can be found in the Grant Ordinance available in German, French and Italian.

Visualisation

Flowchart for application submission with three phases: formal review, substantive review, and decision, including color-coded steps and outcomes.

Status: december 2025